Round 6 Preview: Mariners v Sydney

This Saturday we’re back to Central Coast Stadium for a mouth-watering clash with Sydney FC. Ahead of Hyundai A-League Round 6, Mike Mulvey fronted the media.

Both teams will be looking to bounce back from narrow losses.

The Mariners were left heartbroken after a trip to Perth, conceding in the 95th minute of play after coming from behind twice. Sydney FC were silenced 2-1 by Melbourne Victory at Jubilee Stadium.

From last week’s starting 11, the Mariners will be without Kalifa Cisse who serves a one game suspension after receiving two yellow cards at nib Stadium, paving the way for one of Mike Mulvey’s young guns to step up at home.

The message from Mike Mulvey the past fortnight has been clear: eradicate your mistakes – that will be the key to being crowned winners against Sydney FC.

Looking for a positive sign? Mariners fans will remember this exact fixture last season (round 6 at home against Sydney FC) where the Yellow & Navy downed the Champions 2-0 thanks to goals by Andrew Hoole & Jake McGing.

Picking the boys up after a loss…
“We don’t have to pick the boys up, because the performance was good. The result is not what we wanted and I’m sure the Mariners’ fans will agree with that. But, the performance was more in the liking of what we should expect from our football club butwe are on a journey and it’s going to take time.

“We are going to have obstacles along the way, that 94th minute and 58 seconds was an obstacle that we’ve got to overcome, of course there was heartbreak at the end of the game because we want to win football games, we didn’t, we’ve come home, we’ve prepared as well as we possibly can for Sydney and we’re going to have a go.

“I’m very happy with the direction that we’re going. What we need to do now is to get the team on an even keel and start getting some results as you say.

“We need to stand up on the pitch, like we did last week and cut out the mistakes we’ve made on the pitch that have cost us goals in the last number of weeks. If we bring together the endeavor, the tactical nous that we had last week and we cut out those mistakes, we’re going to be a match for any team in the league, there’s no question about that.

Competition for places…
“Well like I say we’ve got a dressing room full of players there who are honestly chomping at the bit, they want to play. Yesterday’s training session was excellent. Today’s training session has been good, obviously a bit more low key because it’s the day before a game.

“One thing we’re not going to lose is belief. If I see that people are losing belief, then we will put other players into the team. I want these guys to understand that we are on a journey and we will eventually get that win that we want and that will give us added confidence. That’s the only thing that’s missing at the moment is confidence.

“If there’s fear you’ve got to try and embrace that fear, not get coward by it. So, we are looking for players, this is a home game, we weren’t at our best in our last home game against Adelaide, we recognise that and we need to put on a show for our fans and to do that its best to do that on the front foot. I think we were a bit too meek the last time we played here and we’re going to be a bit more on the front foot tomorrow and see where that takes us.

Facing Sydney FC…
“Sydney need to be respected but we can’t give them too much respect. We’re fighting for our lives and that’s the way we need to approach every game is that we’ve had a break from the game against Perth and we need to go there and we need to have a go, we need to be on the front foot and at the end of the day if they’re better in terms of their shapes and their patterns then we will hold our hands up. But we need to get about them and see what we’re really made about, made of and see what response they get in the game. Respect for Sydney but not too much respect,” Mulvey said.

What’s been said?

Aiden O’Neill, Central Coast Mariners
“I’m really excited, we just need the fans to get behind us and stay positive and we’ll give Sydney a good go. We’re going to keep working really hard and all we want to do is get the three points. That’s what the fans want and that’s what we want – so we will do everything we can to claim that win.

“It’s a massive advantage, when they get behind you it’s like having the 12th man and you feel that when you go away and the home team starts playing the ball around and the crowd starts to get louder you feel that as a team and you know that’s what we want when we play at home,” O’Neill said.

Josh Brillante, Sydney FC
“We expect to win every game and when you go out expecting to win every game then those results will follow. We love these type of games [teams getting up to play Sydney FC].

“It’s more of an atmosphere, more of a buzz when you go on the pitch. It’s good to have those games very fiery and we’re looking forward to it,” Brillante said.

Opta Stat-Attack

There has been just one clean sheet kept by either team in the last seven meetings between the Mariners and Sydney FC at Central Coast Stadium with a total of 27 goals scored in that time

Mike Mulvey has earned 1.7 points per game against Sydney FC in his A-League career as a Head Coach, only against Wellington (2.5) and Adelaide (1.9) does he average more

Sydney FC have lost just one of their last 13 games away from home and are undefeated in their last five games on the road.

Sydney FC have won nine of their last 12 games against the Mariners

The Mariners have been caught offside just five times this season, fewer than any team in the competition

Sydney FC have allowed their opposition just 15 shots on target this season, the equal fewest of any team in the competition alongside Perth Glory.

Antony Golec has made 40 clearances this campaign, the most of any player in the competition

Adam Le Fondre has scored five goals in five games this season. Only three times in A-League history has any players scored more within the opening five rounds of a season (Shane Smeltz 8 in 09/10), (O’Donovan, 7 in 17/18) and (Besart Berisha 6 in 11/12)